How do I register for my courses and exams?

1. First add the course to your primary study plan in Sisu and then select the method of completion and teaching dates through the course brochure. If possible, it is recommended to select all completion methods and courses for the upcoming period in advance, and register for the courses all at once during the registration period. Please note, that you can select the completion methods and courses even through the Registration page. 
2. From the course brochure, verify the compulsory requirements and registration period for your selected course. 
3. When the registration period is open, go to the Registration page in Sisu to confirm your registration. 
4. When you have confirmed you registration, you will receive a tentative status of your registration. If you do not meet some of the conditions listed above, for example, you have not registered for the academic year, do so and then register for the course in question.  If your registration is rejected, see the reason behind the Open registration details button.
5. You will receive a final confirmation about being admitted to the course at the end of the registration period, when the registrations have been confirmed. For some courses, your registration might be confirmed automatically right after your registration.
6. Check the status of your registration on the Registration page, in the Study Calendar or in My Profile on the registrations tab.

For further information and detailed instructions (with screen captures) for registration, see Registering for teaching and examinations in the Sisu instructions.

You can also see how to register for courses in Sisu on the Unitube recording Registering for teaching and exams in Sisu.

Once your registration has been approved, the course or examination will also be displayed on the Studies service Calendar page. Calendar displays your course timetables and links to course materials (if any) conveniently in one place.

The universities have terminated the Flexible Study Right Agreement (JOO) effective from January 1, 2026. The final application round for JOO studies will be held in the spring semester of 2025. No new endorsements or approvals for JOO studies will be granted after July 31, 2025. All study rights granted before July 31, 2025, will remain valid until the end of the approved study period.

Before you can register for courses, you must create in Sisu a study plan for the studies for which you have been given the study right. Please note that you can register for courses only when your study right is valid. More information is available in the Sisu instructions: 

• Study plan for non-degree studies and JOO studies
• Study plan for exchange students 

As an attending University of Helsinki undergraduate student, you can view studies with free-of-charge quotas in your study plan on the ‘Completion methods’ tab. Register for free-of-charge studies through your study plan in Sisu.

• The selection of students is based on factors such as prerequisites and selection criteria, group size, and possible quotas for certain student groups.
• You can see the selection criteria in Sisu when you register through your study plan.
• For some courses, places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and you can immediately see if you got a place.
• For some studies, registrations are confirmed closer to the start of the teaching. It is important to note that if there are more registrants than available places and the registrants are in an equal situation based on the selection criteria, students will be chosen by lottery.
• You must be registered as attending while completing the studies, including at the time of completion.

When registering for fee-based open university courses, follow the registration instructions for open university students. Please note that

• registration grants you the right to complete the course at the open university of the University of Helsinki. This right refers to the period during which you can complete the course.
• the completion period is determined according to the study program announced on the course page of the implementation. It includes teaching, exams, and/or other methods of completion.

Summer studies

The main part of the summer teaching is organized by the University of Helsinki Open University. Open university courses are free of charge for attending Bachelor's and Master's degree students at the University of Helsinki. 

Please note that if you wish to participate in an open university summer course to raise the grade of a previously completed course, you need to pay the open university study fee for the summer course. In such a case, please contact the open university before registration at avoin-student@helsinki.fi.